OLD GOA
Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho said the setting up of a technical cell in the Directorate of Panchayats (DoP) has helped panchayats immensely in undertaking development in villages.
Godinho was speaking while speaking at the inaugural of the renovated Chimbelkarin Talli at Chimbel on Thursday in the presence of St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, ZP member Girish Uskaikar, Sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar, Deputy Sarpanch Manisha Chopdekar, panchas and others.
The work has been undertaken at a cost of over Rs 28 lakh under the 14th Finance Commission.
“Earlier, the panchayats had to wait for Technical Sanction (TS) from the PWD. But now, with DoP having its own technical cell, the TS is issued within a week’s time thereby helping panchayats in undertaking development works in their villages within short span,” Godinho said.
“Not only approving development projects, but also very short period is taken in clearing bills,” the minister pointed out.
Further, Godinho pointed out that his department is now also building panchayat ghars, a domain which used to be of GSIDC.
“Now with our own technical cell we are also undertaking construction of panchayat ghars,” he stated while adding that panchayats are given enhanced fund of Rs 3 crore for panchayat ghar.
Godinho further said that this time, Goa has been granted Rs 73 crore under the 15th Finance Commission, which is more than double of what the State used to get earlier.
“I have supported all panchayats in Goa and will support panchayats in St Cruz constituency as well,” Godinho assured and said that he will extend all possible help for development in St Cruz constituency.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Tony Fernandes thanked Godinho for having sanctioned work on community hall in Santa Cruz, which has been a long pending issue.
“The hall will be built at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore,” he added.
